Passive thermal insert for temperature-controlled trays and food service counters

1. A thermal insert for providing temperature control to a vessel for dispensing food products, the thermal insert configured for use in a temperature-controlled tray having a bottom, an open top, and at least one side wall surface that extends between the open top and bottom, the temperature-controlled tray also having a depth substantially equal to the distance between the bottom and the open top, the thermal insert comprised of:

a thermally-conductive tube having a wall with a thickness, a length, an axis substantially parallel to the length of the thermally-conductive tube, and, a cross-section substantially orthogonal to the axis of the thermally-conductive tube, the thermally-conductive tube being configured to receive a vessel inside the thermally conductive tube, the thermally conductive tube having an open top end and a bottom end, the bottom end being beveled at an angle relative to the axis of the thermally-conductive tube such that at least a portion of the wall thickness is exposed along the bevel, the portion of the wall thickness that is exposed along the bevel being adapted to be in thermal communication with at least one of the side wall surface and the bottom of the temperature-controlled tray, the thermally-conductive tube cross-section, bevel, wall thickness and length being sized, shaped and arranged for facilitating conduction of thermal energy between a vessel inside the thermally-conductive tube and at least one of: a side wall surface of the temperature-controlled tray, and a bottom of the temperature-controlled tray.

2. The thermal insert of claim 1 , further comprising:

a temperature-controlled tray having an open top, a side wall, a bottom and a depth, the depth being substantially equal to the distance between the open top and the bottom and being less than the length of the thermally-conductive tube, such that when the thermally-conductive tube is in the temperature-controlled tray and inclined relative to the sidewall of the temperature-controlled tray, a surface of the beveled end of the thermally-conductive tube contacts at least one of: the side wall and the bottom, of the temperature-controlled tray.

3. The thermal insert of claim 2 , wherein the thermally-conductive tube and the temperature-controlled tray are metal and configured to transfer thermal energy between a vessel inside the thermally-conductive tube and the temperature-controlled tray, by way of conduction and radiation, thermal energy transfer between a vessel inside the thermally-conductive tube and the temperature-controlled tray being through the thermally-conductive tube.

4. The thermal insert of claim 2 , wherein the thermally-conductive tube has a closed bottom end configured to contact at least one of: a sidewall and a bottom of the temperature-controlled tray, and is thereby configured to conduct heat between a vessel inside the thermally-conductive tube and the temperature-controlled tray.

5. The thermal insert of claim 2 , wherein the temperature-controlled tray is a refrigerated tray.

6. The thermal insert of claim 5 , wherein the thermally-conductive tube is configured to absorb heat radiated from a vessel inside the thermally-conductive tube and to re-radiate said absorbed heat from lower portions of the thermally-conductive tube that are located in the temperature-controlled tray and to also conduct said absorbed heat into the temperature-controlled tray through a surface of said at least one bevel that is in contact with at least one of: a sidewall and a bottom of the temperature-controlled tray.

7. The thermal insert of claim 2 , wherein the temperature-controlled tray is a heated tray.

8. The thermal insert of claim 1 , wherein the bevel at the bottom end of the thermally-conductive tube, is curved.

9. The thermal insert of claim 1 , wherein the tube is aluminum.

10. The thermal insert of claim 1 , wherein the tube is copper.

11. The thermal insert of claim 1 , wherein the tube is steel.

12. The thermal insert of claim 1 , wherein the thermally-conductive tube is perforated with a plurality of holes in a lower section of the thermally-conductive tube.

13. A temperature control device for a food-dispensing vessel having a first height, the temperature control device being comprised of:

a temperature-controlled tray having a bottom, and an open top, the temperature-controlled tray also having at least one side wall that extends between the open top and bottom, the temperature-controlled tray having a first depth between the open top and the bottom; and

a thermally-conductive tube having an open top end, a bottom end, and a wall having a thickness, the thermally-conductive tube having a length and having a geometric axis substantially parallel to the length, the thermally-conductive tube also having an interior volume between the top and bottom ends and inside the wall, the interior volume of the thermally-conductive tube being configured to receive a food-dispensing vessel, said thermally-conductive tube having a length greater than the depth of the temperature-controlled tray but less than the height of the food-dispensing vessel,

said bottom end being formed with at least one inclined portion, the inclined portion being across at least part of the tube at an angle relative to the geometric axis.

14. The temperature control device of claim 13 , wherein the bottom end of the tube is formed with first and second bevels.

15. The temperature control device of claim 13 , wherein the thermally-conductive tube has a lower portion provided with at least one air transfer hole.

16. The temperature control device of claim 14 , wherein at least one of the first and second bevels is configured to contact a side wall of the temperature-controlled tray.

17. The temperature control device of claim 13 , further including a temperature-controlled tray having an open top and configured to be installed into a food serving cabinet.

18. The temperature control device of claim 13 , wherein the temperature-controlled tray is a refrigerated tray.

19. The temperature control device of claim 13 , wherein the temperature-controlled tray is a heated tray.

20. A food service counter top comprised of:

a temperature-controlled tray having a depth and an open top;

a thermal insert located inside the temperature controlled tray, the thermal insert having an open top, a bottom, and a height greater than the depth of the temperature-controlled tray such that a portion of the thermal insert extends above the open top of the temperature-controlled tray, the thermal insert being configured to receive a food dispensing vessel having a height greater than the height of the thermal insert the bottom of the thermal insert being formed to have at least one beveled edge, the beveled edge being in thermal contact with a surface of the temperature-controlled tray.

21. The food service counter top of claim 20 , further comprised of a thermally-insulating cover for said temperature-controlled tray, said cover configured to insulate at least a portion of the thermal insert above the open top of the temperature-controlled tray.

22. The food service counter top of claim 20 , wherein the thermal insert is comprised of a thermally-conductive tube.

23. The food service counter top of claim 22 , further comprised of a food dispensing vessel configured to be fit into the thermal insert.

24. The food service counter top of claim 20 , wherein the temperature-controlled tray is refrigerated.

25. The food service counter top of claim 20 , wherein the temperature-controlled tray is heated.